I am impressed by the political maturity of the Iranian youth who know their history unlike the generation of their parents or grandparents who took part in the Islamic Revolution. Their trust in Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi is not based on some need for a " charismatic" leader to lead the way to the downfall of the Islamic regime. What we are witnessing in Iran goes far beyond Crown Prince Reza's personality or political record. It's a grassroot mouvement unlike anyother where Iranians are reclaiming their history back in an attempt to correct what they deem was a mistake and injustice that occured 47 years ago and which cost them so much. When they shout slogans in favor of the monarchy or for Crown Prince Reza and his dynasty, they are fully aware that they are not supporting another dictatorship. What they advocate through these slogans is not to be taken for granted. It's about not to have their intelligence insulted. They know what they want and more importantly what they don't want. This makes me hopeful. The late Shah, who was often criticized for not respecting the Constitution and ruling rather than reigning, once responded to italian journalist Orianna Fallacci, as to why he did not reign like a purely constitutional monarch, that he "would reign as the King of Sweden, the day my people behave like the Swedes". Well I think Iranians have reached that level of maturity and maybe even more. The number of young Iranian monarchists who have given their life and blood for the cause of the monarchy in recent years and days is far superior to that of any other political ideology. A taboo has been broken. Does this mean that all young Iranians or that the nation as a whole is monarchist ? Of course not. But neither less nor more than other parliamentary monarchies in Europe and particularly Spain. Crown Prince Reza has faced similar attacks and criticisms as Spain's King Juan Carlos, who guaranteed Spain's fairly peaceful transition towards democracy after General Franco's dictatorship. He was seen as a pawn in the hands of the Spanish dictator and many considered him as "stupid". He proved them all wrong by opposing a military coup by Francist military rebels in the 1980's securing Spain's newly founded democracy and Constitutional Monarchy. Crown Prince Reza appears as a similar catalyst for change and a transitional leader who can guarantee a peaceful transition from a theocratic Islamic dictatorship to a democratic system of government be it a Constitutional Monarchy or a Secular Republic. What is certain is that despite the naysayers and so called "Iran Experts" we are witnessing the first Royalist Revolution of the 21st century. That does not mean the outcome of a post Islamic state is determined but that the current heir to 25 centuries of an institution that defines Persian patriotism cannot be dismissed so easily.
Like his father, Reza Pahlavi is too intelligent, too principled, too sophisticated—and ultimately too much of a threat to the interests of foreign powers—for them to allow him to take the helm of a transitional government or to become Iran’s future leader, whether as a monarch or as a president. Support from the Iranian people is one thing; success, however, also requires backing from power centers in Washington, London, Paris, and other capitals. Will they offer it? Only time will tell.
Javid Shah!
Thanks for the blog. Yes, our dear Shahzadeh Reza Pahlavi is the only one who can save Iran from this misery at this historical moment. Unlike Democrats, Republican in general ,and President Trump in specific has long hsitory of supporting Iranians. The end of misery is near.
Javid shah
Goal : Restoring monarchy.
I'm not a fan of Monarchy, but I can't think of anyone better than Reza Pahlavi to Project Manage Iran's transition from Islamic Marxist Fascism, to a secular Domocratic state.
If the result of the transition ends up approving the inclusion and establishment of a ceremonial Monarchy, like the UK has, I can live with that.
If the protests are done now, Reza Pahlavi needs to step up the pressure and asserting his role by unifying ALL of the opposition groups at a "Convention for a Free Iran" in Washington DC, and publicly establish a collaboration of opposition groups that sets aside political and personal differences until Iran is free and has an appropriate Democracy where they can restart a fair political game.
There's been enough rumor mongering about how popular Reza Pahlavi is and whether he has what it takes to lead. Now he needs to put that to bed by taking the mantle and proving it.